Britain's government is trying to save time and money by telling millions of sick people to not go to the doctors

Britain's National Health Service is under strain in terms of
resources and funding and now the Local Government Association,
which represents more than 370 councils in England and
Wales, agrees with doctors that it would alleviate
the pressure on GPs if people did not go to visit them when
they have "minor ailments."

The LGA took over responsibility for public
health in 2013 and has been liaising with local councils and
GPs to find ways to streamline the service and save money for the
benefit of the public.

The LGA said in a statement on November 5 that
"millions of GP visits are unnecessary, and for minor
ailments such as coughs, colds, back pain and insect bite[s]
where patients could instead be helped to treat
themselves."

According to the LGA report titled "Helping People
Look After Themselves," people should "stop and think" about
going to the doctors for ailments or injuries that are deemed
unnecessary for a visit to the doctors.

The report says that "minor conditions and illnesses
are responsible for approximately 57 million GP consultations and
3.7 million A&E admissions every year, costing the NHS more
than £2 billion."

The LGA listed the statistics for "minor ailments" that
would free up millions of doctors appointments for people who
need it more:

5.2 million GP consultations are for blocked noses

40,000 for dandruff

20,000 for travel sickness

3.7 million visits to A&E (19% of all admissions) were
for self-treatable conditions such as a sprain (38 per cent), flu
(17%), colic (13%) and insect bites (13%).

"We need a new culture of care, where people stop and think
before calling the doctor," said the Chairman of the LGA's
Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe.

"GPs and A&E departments are already overstretched. However
many appointments are unnecessary and for minor conditions that a
person could treat or manage themselves. But patients need to be
helped in learning how to look after themselves, for example in
managing long-term conditions such as heart disease or diabetes,
and GPs can play a key role in this."

This is aimed at making the NHS more efficient and save money and
echoes the LGA's push to make sure only the people that really
need treatment get the time and resources they need to be seen
to.

Professor Ian Banks, Self Care Forum Trustee and former A&E
doctor, said in the LGA report: "Most people are entirely
capable of looking after themselves most of the time,
self-treating when it's safe and knowing where and when to seek
help when they need it.

"There will always be others however, who might need a bit more
support to become empowered and confident in making the right
health decision. Self care is not no care. Far from it, for
example you will find the local pharmacist an excellent source of
health advice and information. There are also reputable health
information websites such as NHS Choices or the Self Care Forum
website."